Avensis Drawing Power When Ignition Off

[rooo]

Had my first breakdown this morning on my 2004 1.8 T4 - not bad for 97k but not quite how I expected it to happen.

The first odd thing was that the car wouldn't lock with the remote key yesterday. I then noticed that the climate control was still on, even with the key out of the ignition - so I turned it off thinking it wouldn't drain the Battery too much, but no such luck. Woke up this morning to a dead car. The AA came out and started the car, and checked everything out. All seems fine - Battery good and charging okay but he did think the car was draining a little too much power with everything off.

Just been out and about in the car today and things have got gradually better, to the point where its pretty much back to normal. Not convinced this is the end of it though.

It may have been the damp weather yesterday causing problems?

Anyone had anything similar?

[cmia]

when you turned the climate control off,

did it switch off ?

[Druid Boy]

Climate control running with the keys out is just plain wrong. Off to the auto-electrician for you my friend. If the car keeps draining the Battery it will give up in the end and batteries are not cheap to replace - never mind whatever else could go wrong.

[rooo]

when you turned the climate control off,

did it switch off ?

Yes, the fans stopped, and all appeared to be off.

Just been out again and seems to have got worse again, so perhaps not the damp weather then.

Really gutted - fixable I'm sure, but it's the first thing that's gone wrong with the car.

[bestseany]

If the climate control has a constant power feed, then maybe it is just the climate control unit at fault. I'd try disconnecting it completely and seeing if things improve.

[rooo]

It that as simple as pulling the fuse out?

[bestseany]

Could be, but it depends what else is powered on that circuit with it.

[cmia]

It that as simple as pulling the fuse out?

pull the fuse out

sounds like a wiring fault or unit

monies on the unit being faulty

[rooo]

Well, Mr T reckons it is the altenator at fault.

It's sending power from the Battery when the ignition is off, so is draining power even when driving - meaning if I do a short journey the Battery won't get charged enough so the Battery lasts for the next start.

After long drives to work yesterday, everything was fine so it seems a bit intermittent. Alternator is £300 to replace which wasn't quite as bad as I feared, but still more than I could do with right now.

[t-spiritpete]

Well, Mr T reckons it is the altenator at fault.

It's sending power from the battery when the ignition is off, so is draining power even when driving - meaning if I do a short journey the battery won't get charged enough so the battery lasts for the next start.

After long drives to work yesterday, everything was fine so it seems a bit intermittent. Alternator is £300 to replace which wasn't quite as bad as I feared, but still more than I could do with right now.

Hi mate, why not take it to a local autoelectrician and have the diode pack replaced in the alternator as this is the problem.

Pete.

[acetip]

Well, Mr T reckons it is the altenator at fault.

It's sending power from the battery when the ignition is off, so is draining power even when driving - meaning if I do a short journey the battery won't get charged enough so the battery lasts for the next start.

After long drives to work yesterday, everything was fine so it seems a bit intermittent. Alternator is £300 to replace which wasn't quite as bad as I feared, but still more than I could do with right now.

Hi mate, why not take it to a local autoelectrician and have the diode pack replaced in the alternator as this is the problem.

Pete.

second that,and a cheaper option.

[rooo]

Mr T did mention the diodes but said it was not cost effective to strip down and repair.

Definitely worth a go though. Thanks chaps.

Any idea how much cheaper it is?

[cmia]

u can get a refurb alternator @ 60 to 100£

[acetip]

Mr T did mention the diodes but said it was not cost effective to strip down and repair.

Definitely worth a go though. Thanks chaps.

Any idea how much cheaper it is?

why not get quotes from a few auto electrians, then choose best option.

[rooo]

Fortunately, or unfortunately, it's not happened again so I'm not going to do anything until the oil consumption problem is resolved one way or t'other.